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NewsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:30:04 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1VA Loans for Veterans Rise Exponentiallyhttp://www.realtor.com/news/va-loans-veterans-rise-exponentially/
http://www.realtor.com/news/va-loans-veterans-rise-exponentially/#respondSun, 25 May 2014 15:02:14 +0000http://www.realtor.com/news/?p=165940Veterans keep our American Dreams safe—they deserve to own a part of it, too. And a Department of Veterans Affairs loan program seeks to do just that. Through the program,… (Read More)

The VA doesn’t offer the loans itself. Rather, the department sets guidelines for the loans, and insures the loans—which gives the lenders more confidence to lend, and less likelihood that they will be holding the keys if a veteran has difficulty making payments.

Such mortgages have become a smoking hot commodity. In 2007, 133,000 such loans were issued. In 2013, the number hit 630,000. That’s more than a 300% increase for a program that began in the wake of World War II and celebrates its 70th anniversary this spring.

Chris Birk, author of “The Book on VA Loans,” attributes the rise to a confluence of trends: the rising number of qualified veterans, the tightening of loan qualification requirements, and the shaky economy.

The United States has been considered at war, for the sake of defining military service, since the Gulf War—more than 20 years, Birk said. Veterans only have to serve 90 days of active duty during wartime to qualify, as opposed to 180 days during peacetime.

Meanwhile, by early 2014 the average credit score needed to obtain a conventional mortgage was 725, according to Ellie Mae.

The average VA loan score is 620, and military members often have more credit dings, Birk said, due in part to the nature of their jobs.

“They’re in service but they have to tackle credit card payments … that can get sidetracked and lost,” Birk said. “We’ve seen veterans who’ve been shut out of the conventional housing market flock to this market because they can get into a home without a down payment, and they don’t need sterling credit.”

The loans may not work for everyone. A family who can afford to put 20% down might do better trying their fortune with a conventional mortgage, Birk said. But if their credit scores fall below pristine, the VA loan could still serve as a better option. And while FHA loans might be an option, the VA loans don’t require private mortgage insurance—as FHA loans do—that can drive up monthly payments.

The Department of Veterans Affairs also backs other programs, for refinancing at a lower rate, loans to adapt a home to the needs of a disabled vet, even some property tax deductions.

]]>http://www.realtor.com/news/va-loans-veterans-rise-exponentially/feed/0Popular Color Palettes in 2013http://www.realtor.com/news/popular-color-palettes-in-2013/
http://www.realtor.com/news/popular-color-palettes-in-2013/#commentsThu, 05 Dec 2013 17:40:43 +0000http://www.realtor.com/news/?p=147682Paint and judicious pops of color can be a relatively simple way to update, even modernize, a home inside and out. Whether you’re customizing your new home, prepping one to sell, or… (Read More)

]]>Paint and judicious pops of color can be a relatively simple way to update, even modernize, a home inside and out. Whether you’re customizing your new home, prepping one to sell, or just breathing new life into your beloved abode, we’ve rounded up some of the most happening hues for 2013. Accent colors offset by cooler grays and whites dominated interior design this year, while charcoal, gold and green were the trendy adornments for haute exteriors, according to experts.

Dip your brushes into these 10 beauties:

Interiors

Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray: Few know color like Maria Killam, a certified color consultant and design expert who teaches seminars on color. Cooler grays with blue undertones, like this Benjamin Moore offering, have been on fire this year, she said.

White: Basics returned with a vengeance this year, Killam said. Although, she cautioned that even a shade as simple-seeming as this one doesn’t work everywhere. “If you don’t have enough light to pull it off, your walls end up looking gray and dingy,” she said. “Just walk into any dark room and look up at the white painted ceiling and see how gray it looks.

Emerald: Pantone, the international purveyor of color taste, named 2013 the year of the emerald. The deep hues elicit adjectives like elegance and harmony. The color of the year – Pantone 17-5641, to be exact – appeared on runways, decor and design materials throughout the world, as well as refreshingly new interiors.

Peacock: Darker than teal, it plays well with both white and gray neutrals and deep oranges bases. This color started creeping across the radar in January, according to ApartmentTherapy.com. The blog featured decor from the actual bird, on a pillow, to a sofa and a napkin set.

French Gray: Like Paris fashion houses, paint companies set the year’s trends with the palettes they choose. Farrow & Ball introduced a warm gray perfect for a homey bedroom.

Deep Purple: Accent walls were the name of the game for two firms. Dullux paint’s “Inspired Violet” is their deepest main color ever, according to Styleathome.com. Behr Paints chose Plum Orbit for a similar effect.

And if you’re looking to splash your walls with next year’s hottest color, purple is still sure to be your prize. Color authority Pantone says “Radiant Orchid” is the official color of 2014. With fuschia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid “reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Chocolate: A rich brown can set off those bright colors and add depth and warmth to any room. As Interior Design magazine noted at the beginning of the year, the goal is “intense, but – richer, and less acidic.”

Exteriors

Nature’s green: Muted palates echoed the great outdoors, with a soft green that matched the landscape, designers told Sheknows.com.

Gold: Designers and small painting firms reported that they saw an uptick in the popularity of soft golds for a rich-looking exterior option. Plus, gold never goes out of style.

Charcoal: Killam sees a rising demand for the rich gray-black offshoot on the outside of homes. But she counseled homeowners to steer clear. Dark tends to be more dated on the outside. “As soon as the gray trend is over, your charcoal gray house will look just as dated as the dark brown exteriors look right now,” she said.

In other words, be wary of any trend that has the potential for a short shelf life. Let the year’s color choices inspire, but perhaps not dictate, the beauty of your home.

]]>Ease, comfort, and a return to rustic touches marked this year’s interior design trends. As we’ve noted, bright pops of color – such as purple, teal and emerald – coupled with cool neutrals made up the palate of 2013. But what about the overall decor? We scoured the blogosphere and checked in with Sheila Schmitz, editor at Houzz, a home design and renovation site, to round up the year’s interior trends.

1. Brass Went Big

Brass was one of the big predictions for 2013, and it didn’t disappoint. This metallic accent has a warmth that stainless steel lacks, but still blends well with other metallics. It easily transitions from modern to classic and works especially well for fixtures, from pendant lights to plumbing.

2. Wood Became Even More Ingrained

Natural-looking wood grains appeared in more than just floorboards. Blonder woods showed up in kitchen cabinets and butcher block counters, offering a light, modern feel while still adding a homey comfort that white or steel can’t match. As one custom cabinet business owner noted, customers wanted clean lines coupled with a sense of craftsmanship.

3. Tile, Tile Everywhere

Nontraditional tile exploded, Schmitz said. Tile with a natural touch continued the wood trend, with grain and uneven edges that mimicked boards. “That’s borrowing a little bit from the salvaged-barn-wood trend from a few years ago,” Schmitz said. And it’s not just for the kitchen and bath. Faux wood tile went in the living room and on bedroom walls.

4. The Farmhouse Utility Sink

A large sink used to be a farmhouse workhorse, and today’s trends have cycled back to the deep, double sink with clean lines and classic usage. This design often comes in under-counter or apron styles. The trend has been building for a few years and accelerated in 2013.

5. Comfy Sofas and Chairs

Skip the stuffy furniture. Homeowners wanted sofas to sink into and chairs with perfectly positioned armrests, trendsetting decorator Martyn Lawrence Bullard told the Huffington Post: “Deep seats with well-proportioned arms and heights are vital.” That style, he noted, also left plenty of room to indulge in oversized throw pillows.

6. Furniture, Not Architecture

Flexibility in furniture was key, Schmitz said, with pieces that could be shifted, moved and customized, rather than built into an existing room. Kitchen islands expanded like dining room tables for laid-back family gatherings. And multifunctional pieces weren’t just reserved for smaller rooms. They helped make a large area feel cozier, with more room for, say, an ottoman – especially one that also includes some storage.

7. Storage Goes Bold

“Storage has gotten more beautiful,” Schmitz said. “People aren’t trying to hide it anymore.” Homeowners are making better use of their dead space and letting some rooms, such as the kitchen, breathe more. They might put cabinets along an interior wall and leave more room for a window above the sink, or space between a cabinet and the ceiling to open up the room a little. Or, go all out with a storage cube.

After years of decorating on a dime, more people were seeking out professional help in 2013, Schmitz said. They realized that the tile they laid didn’t look nearly as good as work done by a professional, and maybe it was worth paying someone to save them time and headaches. In some cases, homeowners might hire a professional for a consult or some coaching to help them through a project.

10. Decorating Piecemeal

Asking for a professional assist with the handiwork hasn’t kept homeowners from forging their own paths, which might be the biggest trend from the 2013 design season, Schmitz said. The economic recovery meant people picked up décor projects that had fallen by the wayside. They eschewed buying a roomful of furniture from one shop. “It’s a part of the bigger trend,” Schmitz said, “where people are really designing for themselves.”

]]>http://www.realtor.com/news/the-years-best-decor-trends/feed/1Home Tech Raises the Barhttp://www.realtor.com/news/home-tech-raises-the-bar/
http://www.realtor.com/news/home-tech-raises-the-bar/#commentsThu, 05 Dec 2013 17:39:16 +0000http://www.realtor.com/news/?p=147818Gushing coverage greeted the release this fall of Nest Protect, a home fire alarm that syncs with a Nest thermostat, lights a hallway, and responds to the wave of a… (Read More)

]]>Gushing coverage greeted the release this fall of Nest Protect, a home fire alarm that syncs with a Nest thermostat, lights a hallway, and responds to the wave of a hand. The tiny appliance is pricey, about $100 more than simple home fire alarms, but it exemplifies the trends toward home technology in 2013 – smart, connected, fun, possibly useful, but on some level a little baffling.

We’re not talking simple apps, but rather household appliances that remain part of our daily modern existence. You don’t have to be a high-tech pioneer to enjoy these fancy electronics – or a millennial. Although some savvy is required:

Big Appliances, Tiny Screens

Touch screens and Internet hookups on kitchen appliances blossomed in 2013, said Rich Brown, executive editor for appliances at CNET. LG and Samsung offered refrigerators that allowed owners to enter information about the contents so the fridge could track what was being used. The fridge could also sync with cell phones to create a grocery list. The Wi-Fi-connected screens can look up recipes and the weather, or display family photos. But such applications can feel superfluous.

He thinks there may be greater interest in ovens that offer pre-heating options that can be turned on via cell phone, perhaps shaving a few minutes off of dinner prep.

Lights Out

Smaller projects feel more necessary to Brown – such as the Philips Hue, LED lightbulbs that change color, use 80 percent of the electricity of standard bulbs, and can be controlled from a cell phone app. Users can turn on lights before they get home, set lights to raise slowly for a gentle morning wake-up, or dim them for the right mood. “Some of the smaller devices are more practical,” he said.

Open Sesame

Linked-up entrances, such as the Kwikset locks opened by cell phone, have a more obvious application than the appliance geegaws. They make life easier by doing away with keys that clutter pockets and can be lost. They can make homes safer. And such locks can help family members keep tabs on comings and goings – for instance, a parent who wants to know when the kids come home.

Christina Tynan-Wood uses smart locks in her home. The writer who pens Family Circle magazine’s “Family Tech” column said her kids have their own codes to enter the house.

“It sends me a note that my kid just unlocked the door,” she said.

Consoles Work and Play

Game consoles that performed well beyond role-playing were the real standouts for Tynan-Wood in 2013.

“A lot of people gave up on cable TV and just moved toward putting things [such as Netflix and Amazon] through that one box,” she said. Such systems streamline everything from the number of remote controls to the number of devices needed for viewing a variety of media from several providers.

The fall 2013 releases of PlayStation and Xbox – which include voice recognition and motion sensors – should kick-start 2014 by continuing that trend, Tynan-Wood said.

“It’s the year of Star Trek,” she said with a laugh.

All of this adds up to …

The Internet of Things

Slowly, household items have pushed their way into home networks to such an extent that they have started dominating Internet connections more than home computers. Beyond smart refrigerators, think of sensors that track workout heart-rates, and mattress monitors that keep tabs on infants. Tynan-Wood calls this the trend to watch in 2014, but “the Internet of things” buzz-phrase gained traction in 2013, as connected appliances did the same.

]]>No black cats here. Nor do suicidal ghosts, peeping Toms, murderers or vampires really haunt these lairs, at least not as far as we can tell. But pop culture aficionados will recognize the graceful architecture, the pool-side haunts and the tree-lined grounds (perfect for hiding bodies) from hit movies and TV shows. Some rooms may not be recognizable in daylight, much less natural light, but fret not – we know where the ghouls lurk.

“The House on Haunted Hill”

The hilltop home known as the Ennis House is a Mayan-inspired mansion designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by his son, Lloyd Wright, in 1924. The home boasts 6,200 square feet, including chauffeur’s quarters, but the real showstopper is more than 27,000 hand-crafted concrete blocks. The classic 1959 B-movie “The House on Haunted Hill,” starring master horror craftsman Vincent Price was filmed here, as well as scenes from “Blade Runner” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

The younger Wright added the pool, shown below, for a new owner in 1940, and it makes a cameo in 1975’s “Day of the Locust.”

“American Horror Story,” Season 1

This stupendous, confounding — and, in the show, dark, murderous and haunted — house formed the core of this serial frightfest. In real life, the 1908 mansion has six bedrooms, servant’s quarters and Tiffany glass windows, on three-quarters of an acre outside Los Angeles. Fans of the show will notice the lack of creepy frontal vines.

A chapel with a 56-foot-high ceiling boasted a recording studio, with plenty of room for an audience. Imagine the acoustics in those rafters. The light might seem misleading to fans of the show, which was all shadows and dark corners. Like the other house, “Buffy” filmed here, too (she really got around).

“The Amityville Horror”

This house has the dubious honor of realizing horror both real and fictionalized. Here, in this Long Island five-bedroom gem along the water, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his mother, father and four siblings in 1974. Shortly after, another family moved in – and swore they witnessed so many unexplained phenomena, such as a freakish insect swarm and odd apparitions, that they moved out within a month.

One of the latter family’s members wrote a book, which inspired the blockbuster movie and a remake. But Hollywood, ironically enough, chose an abode in New Jersey for the original movie set.

“Disturbia”

In this 2007 flick loosely based on the classic “Rear Window,” Shia LeBeouf’s character, Kale Brecht, spies on his neighbors when he’s placed under house arrest. He thinks he has witnessed a murder. Frankly, we’d be tempted to kill for those built-ins in this 1910 stunner, with five bedrooms, two baths, a basement and a patio.

Also located just south of L.A., this home appeared in “The Wonder Years” finale and “Back to the Future,” as well as its sequel. And “True Blood.” Which brings us to…

“True Blood”

This is the abode of Sophie-Anne, the vampire queen of Louisiana. Show fans should recognize that pool instantly. This Malibu manse includes 13 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and views that are anything but scary. Of course, the show couldn’t highlight the sun glistening off the palm trees, vampires being deadly allergic to the light and all, and that outdoor kitchen was completely wasted on them. But we can appreciate it.

And for one last bit of meta fun, the home on the ocean has a media room, complete with a big screen – the better to scare yourself silly.

]]>Sometimes stories seem so wedded to geography, it’s hard to imagine them set anywhere else. “Sex and the City” could only be 1990s Manhattan. Larry McMurtry’s literature lives and breathes Texas. And so the vampires and witches of Anne Rice’s verdant imagination are linked inexorably to the gothic splendor of New Orleans – “this strange, decadent city full of antebellum houses,” she said once.

The author of the Vampire Chronicles and “The Witching Hour” after all, lived in New Orleans for years. Take a look.

Anne Rice grew up in New Orleans, spent part of her teenage years in Texas, then landed in California. After hitting the best-seller lists with a vengeance, selling millions of her haunting books, she and her family moved to New Orleans in the late 1980s. They bought several homes in the city’s Garden District.

The Garden District teems with palatial homes that scream Deep South. This stately Victorian Gothic home of Rice’s sits on just over a quarter of an acre, and was said by some to be haunted by spirits that predate the modern tales of blood lust and spells.

Inside, this former home of hers includes almost 7,000 square feet. It has six bedrooms, six and a half baths and stained glass windows, and it dates back to the 1800s.

Rice decamped to California years ago to be closer to her son. Her husband died just over a decade ago, after 41 years of marriage. Rice said she never thought she would leave New Orleans, but her widowhood and a son half a country away spurred her to relocate. She became a devout Catholic, then turned away from the religion, all the while documenting her feelings in writing.

Still, local tours include regular stops at the locations that her books, and the movies made from them, made famous. These gardens of good and evil may not grant multimillion-dollar creative powers to all who enter, but they certainly seem inspiring, no matter who occupies them.

]]>Fall: Crisp air, warm sweaters, sweet apples and glorious explosions of colorful autumn splendor. Some homes are shown to their best advantage in fall, surrounded by trees, rolling landscapes and warm fireplaces near picture windows that perfectly capture the season. Like the thousands who flock to New York and New England for leaf-peeping this time of year, we also took a peek at properties that offer colorful seasonal panoramas. Warm the cider, pull on a blanket and take a look.

Fishing for ParadiseDip your toes where presidents fished at Trout Run, a more than 450-acre estate near the presidential retreat of Camp David in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. A two-mile-long stream through sun-dappled forest gives this angler’s paradise a name, while hunting grounds provide outdoorsmen an ideal way to enjoy the season. There are separate guest quarters, including one with an enclosed, heated porch for the less adventurous – a space that was a favorite of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Hallowed in VermontThe colors of the season surround this classic slice of rustic comfort in Vermont, with three ponds amplifying the reflection of the burnished trees amid the rolling hills of the Green Mountain State. Trails along the 25-acre property provide a perfect excuse for a stroll. Leave your Wellies in the mudroom and warm up by one of the two stone fireplaces.

Run FreeIf that’s still not enough leaves to satiate your peepers, how about another 100 acres worth of rolling red and gold Vermont hills? This center-hall country classic includes a separate, five-story barn with office and guest quarters, so friends and family can join you amid the maples. Stalls welcome the equine-inclined.

Water, Water EverywhereAcross the state line with New York, pull up an Adirondack chair to this multimillion-dollar view of Kattskill Bay. Nature lies as close as the bay’s waters, which practically lap the home’s front door – a rarity in an area that typically requires a 100-foot setback.

Scandinavia in New YorkCloser to New York City, you’d expect a pillar of Scandinavian design to erect a house worthy of the name. Jans Quistgaard, the mind behind the Swedish Dansk Designs, did his nation proud in a Westchester suburb. The roof’s many arches perfectly frame the trees and water before wall-sized picture windows. The biggest danger here might be never wanting to leave.

Capital DestinationFarther south, a contemporary aerie above a Potomac River hilltop offers another modern vantage point. The home was designed to meld effortlessly with the natural beauty of the site. The home’s wood siding gives way to glass expanses that offer views from every inside seat, and an outside patio boasts near 360-degree views of the foliage.

Mainer BoundFinally, this Maine property holds a special place in our hearts, with more than 1,200 feet of frontage along Penobscot Bay in Camden, including three private beaches and views of wooded islands and hills. The view is interrupted only by sailboats. But what really captured us was the rainbow arching over the water . Can you imagine that tree ablaze in autumn? Sign us up.

]]>http://www.realtor.com/news/falling-into-foliage-with-7-stunning-private-home/feed/0Tune In to Fall TV in These Celebrity Home Theatershttp://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-home-theaters-for-fall-tv/
http://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-home-theaters-for-fall-tv/#respondMon, 16 Sep 2013 20:13:33 +0000http://www.realtor.com/news/?p=144677After a long, rerun-filled summer, the fall TV season finally stages a triumphant return. We can’t promise control of the remote, much less a satisfying resolution to that “Game of… (Read More)

]]>After a long, rerun-filled summer, the fall TV season finally stages a triumphant return. We can’t promise control of the remote, much less a satisfying resolution to that “Game of Thrones” cliffhanger. We can, however, show you five home theaters that would make the butter on your popcorn blush. Pass the TV Guide, please.

Theater Awash in PurpleSensing a purple theater trend, former UCLA Bruins coach Ben Howland carpeted his home theater in a shade that would make any New Girl woozy. We salute his two-tier sitting — there’s no bad view in this home along the L.A. Canyon. Just don’t look down.

The Wild Rumpus TheaterNot every man would settle into leopard-print upholstery, cuddling a zebra-striped pillow, to watch “Sons of Anarchy.” Let’s just say that in this home for sale by NBA veteran and Golden State Warrior Jermaine O’Neal, what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.

A Ballplayer’s HavenInvite the neighbors over — on this Florida island, that would be folks like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera — to catch the Fall Classic in roomy, sumptuous leather thrones. Guest can prop their feet on a plush purple ottoman (that is an ottoman, right?). We also love the chandelier in this boutique escape from former Yankee great Tino Martinez — that’s high-class viewing there.

An Entertaining FloorMaximize your “Modern Family” pleasure with not just a room, but a whole basement. Take the elevator down, grab a drink at the wet bar and a stogie from the humidor, and nestle in for some laughs in this Atlanta-area estate of Ron White, of Blue Collar Comedy Tour fame.

Lights outTheaters can be an oasis of calm, too. The soft grays and subtle lighting of the St. Louis, MO, home of retired Major Leaguer Andy Van Slyke offers a distinct change of pace from the ornate design — iron fixtures, layers of drapery, bathroom chandelier, anyone? — of the Tuscan-style stone mansion. “Breaking Bad,” indeed.

]]>http://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-home-theaters-for-fall-tv/feed/06 Designer Homes for Fashion Weekhttp://www.realtor.com/news/6-designer-homes-for-fashion-week/
http://www.realtor.com/news/6-designer-homes-for-fashion-week/#respondMon, 09 Sep 2013 18:42:43 +0000http://www.realtor.com/news/?p=144418As tastemakers descend upon New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, we like to pay homage to another type of design — the interior kind. The home interiors that fashion folk… (Read More)

]]>As tastemakers descend upon New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, we like to pay homage to another type of design — the interior kind. The home interiors that fashion folk tailor for their private enjoyment can be just as enlightening as the styles that walk the runways, and less worrisome than those sky-high heels. These tastemakers truly live and breathe couture.

Details AfootFun touches dot the bold structure of Kelly Wearstler’s Old Hollywood estate. This doyenne of design has tackled high-end hotels, glittering eateries and a trio of best-selling design books, but keep an eye out for her humor. There’s a foot on a coffee table and a face peering out from a mirrored bathroom wall.

Simple TouchesGlass expanses along James Perse‘s former sunny California dream home connect interior with exterior for a fashion designer who claims a “passion for minimalist architecture influenced by warm west-coast indoor outdoor living.” Minimalist indeed — one bedroom, 1.75 baths, and clean white walls showcase stripped-down midcentury modern at its best.

Never a Dull MomentThe mind behind Italian design house Fabrizio Gianni doesn’t just know women’s style; he also knows fun. A bowling alley, mini golf, a tennis court and, of course, two kinds of pool — one for swimming, one for cues — keep visitors entertained at Guy Attal’s 90210 home. No word on whether balls come with the $25.58 million purchase.

Sun-KissedAn epic skylight sheds plenty of sun on the interiors of the sprawling 12,000-foot home of Michele Bahbot, founder of fashion line Bisou Bisou (kiss kiss to you, darling). She started her business with just $6,000 back in 1989, but there’s no sparing a dime here.